The plaintiff, Peter Englander, alleged that the foreign company, Hangzhou GreatStar Tool Company, violated Proposition 65 by manufacturing and selling hand tools and stools containing DEHP through major retailers such as Lowe's and Orchard Supply Hardware, without providing California consumers with the requisite health hazard warning.
"If a product is going to be sold in America, it has to meet American health and safety standards, both local and federal," said Clifford Chanler, spokesperson for the law firm. "This is true regardless of where the product is manufactured."
As a result of the settlement, the overseas manufacturer has agreed that, no later than May 1, 2014, all of the products at issue, intended for sale to California consumers, shall be reformulated so as to virtually eliminate the presence of DEHP. Should Hangzhou GreatStar Tool Company certify that the products at issue are reformulated by March 15, 2014, Englander agreed to waive a portion of the $30,000 civil fine. Seventy-five percent of the civil fine is paid to the State of California. The settlement can be reviewed, click here.
